Lithuania's 90s-Set Oscar Contender Blends Nostalgia and Angst

Lithuania's submission for the best international feature Oscar in 2026 is taking audiences back to the early days of the country's independence. "The Southern Chronicles" (Pietinia Kronikas), directed by Ignas Miškinis, is a 90s-set coming-of-age drama that has been making waves on the film festival circuit.

The film, adapted from a bestselling novel by Rimantas Kmita, follows the story of Rimantas, a 17-year-old growing up in Lithuania in the 1990s. While more interested in rugby, music, and street life, his encounter with Monika, from a more middle-class family, opens him up to literature, culture, and a different way of seeing the world.

Miškinis, who was a teenager himself in the 90s, aimed to capture the era authentically, using 16mm film and VHS cameras to transport viewers back in time. The film's soundtrack is filled with Eurodance classics, from Culture Beat's "Mr. Vain" to Technotronic's "Pump Up the Jam," further immersing the audience in the 90s nostalgia.

"The Southern Chronicles" has already garnered critical acclaim, winning the Baltic competition at the 2024 Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival and 12 awards out of 14 nominations at the 2025 Lithuanian Silver Crane Awards, including for best feature film and best director.